Around 170 sheep have died under unexplained circumstances near the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal area in Lucknow, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to order an official probe into the incident. Police have sent samples for post-mortem examination as authorities try to determine whether disease, poisoning or negligence led to the deaths.

The matter came to light after a complaint was submitted at Madiaon police station by Charu Khare, founder of an NGO, who stated that the sheep died suddenly in the area a few days after an event was held nearby. According to the application, the deaths occurred within a short span, raising concerns about possible external factors.

Khare said that, at this stage, it is not clear whether the animals died after consuming waste material or if they were deliberately poisoned by unknown persons. She demanded a thorough investigation and stressed that post-mortem examinations of the dead sheep were necessary to establish the exact cause.

Calling the incident serious and sensitive, she said the possibility of animal cruelty or administrative laxity could not be ruled out. She also assured that her organisation would extend all possible assistance to the authorities during the investigation and demanded strict action if poisoning or negligence is confirmed.

Police officials said samples have been sent for post-mortem and further action will depend on the medical reports. Taking cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to conduct a probe into the matter. The state government also announced compensation of Rs 10,000 per sheep for the affected owners, according to an official statement.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that hate has been “normalised” under its leadership, following the death of a 24-year-old student from Tripura who was attacked in Uttarakhand.

Anjel Chakma, a resident of Tripura, succumbed to his injuries on December 26 after being assaulted in Dehradun earlier this month. His death has triggered widespread outrage, particularly in Tripura and among student groups from the Northeast.

Calling the assault on Anjel and his brother Michael Chakma a “horrific hate crime”, Gandhi said such incidents do not happen in isolation but are the result of years of toxic narratives being pushed in society.

In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi said hate is being fed “daily – especially to our youth” and accused the ruling BJP of normalising such behaviour through irresponsible leadership. He added that India is built on unity and respect, not fear, and warned against becoming a society that ignores violence against fellow citizens.

Attack in Dehradun and police action

According to Uttarakhand Police, Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael were living near Nanda Chowki under the Premnagar police station area in Dehradun. The incident occurred on the evening of December 9 when the two had gone to Selaqui for some work.

Police said the brothers got into an argument with a group of local men and another individual from the Northeast, during which racial slurs were allegedly used. When Anjel and Michael objected, the situation escalated into a violent clash.

Michael Chakma was allegedly hit on the head, while Anjel was stabbed in the neck and abdomen with knives and blunt objects. Anjel remained hospitalised in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries days later.

Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the case. Two of them are minors and have been sent to a juvenile reform home. One accused, a Nepal national, is absconding, and police have announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to his arrest. A police team has also been sent to Nepal to trace him.

Political reactions and protests

Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with the Chakma family and people of Tripura and the Northeast, stating that they are an integral part of the Indian identity.

The killing has sparked strong protests in Tripura, with several student organisations demanding strict punishment for those responsible. These groups have also urged the Central Government to take concrete steps to address what they describe as the recurring issue of racial discrimination against youths from the Northeast in different parts of the country.

In Delhi, thousands of students under the banner of the Tipra Indigenous Students’ Federation organised a candlelight march, seeking justice for Anjel Chakma.

Reacting to the incident, BJP Tripura state general secretary Bipin Debbarma described the death as deeply saddening and said the Tripura Chief Minister has spoken to his Uttarakhand counterpart. He added that those involved in the incident would be brought to justice.

At least five houses belonging to a Hindu family were set on fire in Dumritala village of Bangladesh’s Pirojpur district, triggering fresh concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country. The incident took place on December 28 in the Muslim-majority nation, where authorities suspect the attack may have been targeted.

Local officials said the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. According to reports, attackers allegedly stuffed cloth into one of the rooms and set it ablaze, after which the flames spread rapidly to neighbouring houses.

Family members told police they were initially trapped inside their homes as the doors had been locked from outside when the fire broke out in the early hours. All eight members of the two affected families managed to escape by cutting through tin sheets and bamboo fencing. However, their houses and belongings were completely reduced to ashes. Several pets also died in the fire.

The village is located around 240 kilometres from the capital Dhaka.

Arrests made, probe underway

Police confirmed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are ongoing to trace others involved. Mohammad Manzur Ahmed Siddiqui, Superintendent of Police of Pirojpur, visited the site and assured the affected families that the matter would be investigated promptly.

A video of the fire incident has circulated widely on social media, showing local residents attempting to douse the flames as they engulfed multiple houses.

The affected Saha family, currently staying in Dhaka, told media over the phone that they remain fearful and are unsure how the fire started. They declined to go on record, stating only that police are examining the cause.

Rising pattern of blasphemy-related violence

The incident comes amid a reported rise in violence linked to blasphemy allegations against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. A report by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) documented at least 71 such incidents between June and December this year.

According to the report, cases were recorded across more than 30 districts, including Chandpur, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Sunamganj, Khulna, Comilla, Gazipur, Tangail and Sylhet. The rights group said the similarity and spread of these incidents indicate systemic vulnerability of minorities rather than isolated events.

The report noted that blasphemy allegations in Bangladesh often lead to police action, mob violence and forms of punishment outside legal processes.

Earlier this month, garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh district on December 18 over alleged blasphemy, with his body later set on fire. Around 12 people have been arrested in that case so far.

Another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was killed by a mob in Rajbari town on December 24. The Bangladesh government later said Mondal was facing multiple criminal charges, including murder and extortion, and maintained that the incident was not communal in nature.

Concerns amid political uncertainty

Bangladesh has been witnessing political uncertainty following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. During this period, there have been reports of growing religious conservatism and sporadic violence against minorities.

Several anti-India statements have emerged from political platforms in the country, including remarks related to India’s northeast, which were triggered by comments made by Muhammad Yunus. Rights groups have warned that radical elements may be using the prevailing sentiment to justify attacks on minorities.

With the country heading towards elections under the interim administration, recent incidents have raised concerns among rights organisations and minority communities about their safety.